Hockey's new battle against homophobia

The Atlantic reviews that status of homophobia and the fight against homophobia in ice hockey, including the actions of people like Sean Avery, Patrick and Brian Burke, and Jeff Kagan: 
When Adam Knoerzer and his partner were in Los Angeles to see the Pittsburgh Penguins play the L.A. Kings, last November, they found themselves sandwiched between two, seemingly incongruous parts of hockey culture. To their left was a lesbian couple, supporting the Kings. To their right was a father-and-son duo cheering for Knoerzer's Penguins, all the while talking about "what a fag the PA announcer was," Knoerzer recalls. For Knoerzer, a self-described beer-drinking, TV-screaming, show tune-hating, hockey guy who came out a decade ago, it remains a jarring, telling experience.

"It was so bizarre being in between lesbians on my left and a father and son on the right, who are unabashedly trashing this guy because they think he's a gay and a queen," Knoerzer, 27, says. "When the Penguins scored, [the father] would give us high fives. I kept thinking, 'Would you give us a high five if I told you that this is the man I love?'"

This experience highlights the tensions that still exist among hockey fans when it comes to homosexuality. It has been a little more than a year since Sean Avery, the lightning-rod of an NHL player and gay marriage advocate, spoke out in support of gay teammates in hockey. Avery's endorsement was just one of several recent milestones in the discussion concerning the sometimes complicated relationship between players, coaches, and fans of hockey and the gay community.

"We've created an atmosphere where players can come out in support of LGBT issues," says Brian Silva, interim executive director of Marriage Equality New York. "But we're still not at the point where anyone from the LGBT community feels comfortable playing."

Keep reading HERE.

Brian Burke profile in Xtra

Xtra.ca has a great profile of Brian Burke, winner of the 2011 FGG Straight Ally Legacy Award:

Before his youngest son came out in December 2007, Toronto Maple Leafs president and general manager Brian Burke didn’t know a single gay person. That was about to change.

The following summer, Brian and Brendan attended the Toronto Pride parade together. The famous father and son were just two faces among thousands of revellers in the crowd: cheering, laughing and watching the rainbow-decorated floats pass by. Like other dads, Burke worried he would embarrass his son. “I asked him, ‘Who is more embarrassed here? The GM of the Leafs or a kid at the Pride parade with his dad?’” he recalls. “He said, ‘Dad, are you kidding? I’m more embarrassed.’”

The experience left an indelible impression on Burke and helped cement a bond with his son that would shape the next four years of his life.

Publicly, Brendan was still living with a secret. With the support of his family, he made the decision in 2009 to come out to the world. While the act of coming out, especially under such unwelcoming pressures, was itself an act of rebellion, he went even further, proudly and naturally stepping into the role of advocate for gays in sport.



Burke was behind his son every step of the way, appearing on ESPN and challenging anyone who dared contest Brendan’s declaration.

Then, in 2010, the unthinkable happened. Just two years after Brendan came out privately to his family, Burke lived through every parent’s worst nightmare. Brendan, just 21, was killed in a car accident in Indiana.

Keep reading HERE.

News from Outsports on "You Can Play"

News from Outsports on "You Can Play":

Patrick Burke’s ‘You Can Play’ project launches on NBC featuring eight NHL players
Mar 4th, 2012 by Cyd Zeigler jr.

Philadelphia Flyer scout Patrick Burke has unveiled a new non-profit organization created to lay out the welcome mat in sports for LGBT athletes. The “You Can Play” project focuses on producing videos of mostly professional athletes with a simple message: If you can play sports, you’re always invited to play with us.

A 30-second video of eight NHL players (including Blue Jacket Rick Nash, right) saying various incarnations of “You can play” airs on NBC during the first intermission of the New York Rangers-Boston Bruins game Sunday, March 4. The game starts at 12:30pmET. The spot was shot and produced by HBO. It is the first of many the group says will soon be available on their Web site. You can watch a 60-second version of the video below.



Burke is the brother of the late Brendan Burke, the openly gay Miami (Ohio) men’s hockey manager who was killed in a car crash in 2010. Since Brendan’s death, Patrick has found incredible support for his brother and for gay equality in sports. In fact, he struggles to think of any personally homophobic incidents he has encountered in the NHL since Brendan’s death.
The “You Can Play Project” is designed to show that sports simply aren’t as homophobic as many people think.

“The sports world is all about just talent,” Burke told Outsports. “If you’re good enough to help a team win, you can play. Athletes aren’t as homophobic as people think. Athletes are ready for and would support a gay teammate. And for most of these guys it’s a complete non-issue.”

Keep reading HERE.

Patrick Burke to launch new project to support LGBT athletes

From Patrick Burke, brother of Brendan Burke and son of FGG Legacy Award winner Brian Burke, his message on You Can Play, his new organization aimed at supporting athletes who come out:


I am honored and proud to be a founding partner of the You Can Play Project. My brother Brendan taught me what the locker room can be like for young LGBT athletes, then showed me the difference one person can make by standing up for what is right. With the You Can Play Project, we hope to provide a means for athletes, coaches, and fans to stand up and create an atmosphere of inclusion. As each person or team stands up, LGBT athletes everywhere will become aware that they can be themselves without fear. Freed from the burdens of fear and shame, these athletes will be free to play to their full potential, making our teams, our leagues, and the sports themselves better, stronger, and more entertaining.

It's time to change the way the world thinks about athletes - both straight and gay. Talent, work ethic, and character are all that matters when evaluating a player. It's time for straight allies to show their character by enabling LGBT athletes to show their talents without fear. If you can play, You Can Play.

---

You Can Play is dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation.

You Can Play works to guarantee that athletes are given a fair opportunity to compete, judged by other athletes and fans alike, only by what they contribute to the sport or their team’s success.

You Can Play seeks to challenge the culture of locker rooms and spectator areas by focusing only on an athlete’s skills, work ethic and competitive spirit.

Brian Burke on the first out NHL player

FGG Legacy Award winner Brian Burke on the George Stromboulopoulos program on CBC.

Steve Buckley on the meaning of Christmas for the family of Brendan Burke

Sports writer Steve Buckley looks at the meaning of Christmas for the family of Brendan Burke, who came out to them at Christmas 2007 (h/t Wide Rights):

This is how Kerry Burke reacted when her son Brendan told her he was gay: She thought about being a grandmother.

It was December 17, 2007, right before Christmas, at the family home in Canton. Brendan, then 19 years old and a student at Miami University in Ohio, stumbled over the words at first, or maybe he was merely testing the waters when he babbled something about how he might be gay. But he quickly steadied himself, and the words that followed were clear and strong: “I’m gay,” he told his mom.

Kerry Burke, who had been mulling this possibility from the time Brendan was in the third grade, hugged her son and then said, “I always thought you’d make a great father. And I still think you’re going to be a great father.”

A few days later, this is how Patrick Burke reacted when his younger brother Brendan told him he was gay: He hugged him, told him he loved him and that nothing has changed.

And then, to prove nothing has changed, Patrick Burke busted his kid brother’s chops.

“Now,” he said, “I know why you never hung up that Patriots [team stats] cheerleaders poster I got for you.”

This is how Ed and Elaine Gilmore reacted when their grandson, Brendan Burke, told them he was gay: They financed a pizza party.

Thinking that telling his grandparents might be his most difficult coming-out errand, Brendan had instructed his mom to wait 30 minutes and then join them. He then headed next door to his grandparents’ house.

When Kerry arrived as scheduled and saw Brendan sitting at the table, having a casual conversation with his grandparents, she assumed her son hadn’t gotten around to making his announcement yet and so made up a lie about needing to borrow something from the kitchen.

“We’re all set,” Brendan told his mom. “I told them.”

It had been so easy. He said to his grandparents what he had to say, and Ed and Elaine smiled. Ed then said, “OK, Brendan, you’re a good kid. You keeping up with your lessons?”

Lessons. Ed Gilmore was raised in Dorchester and attended Grover Cleveland Elementary School. In his neighborhood, and in his time, you didn’t do homework. You kept up with your lessons.

“Yes, I am, Grampy,” came the reply.

Ed Gilmore then reached into his wallet and pulled out a bill. He slid it into his grandson’s hand and said, “Can you get some pizza for you and your friends for $20 out there in Ohio?”

Keep reading HERE.

Brian Burke supports Maple Leafs LGBT event

From Outsports, news of FGG Straight Ally Legacy Award winner Brian Burke, GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs hocky team:



The Toronto Marlies, a farm team of the Maple Leafs, held a sold-out LGBT event on Saturday featuring Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke. The event was co-hosted by the Toronto Gay Hockey Association and featured a hockey shinny (the equivalent of a pick-up game) with Burke!

Burke also commented on sports network TSN (click HERE to view):

5 November 2011 / LOGO to air Brendan Burke documentary

From Outsports, news of particular interest following the FGG Legacy Award presented to Brendan Burke's father, Brian, GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs: Logo will take a break from catty bitches in New York and Dallas this weekend to air a CBC documentary about openly gay former University of Miami hockey team student-manager Brendan Burke. ‘The Legacy of Brendan Burke’ will air Saturday, Nov. 5, at 8pm.

Federation of Gay Games announces 2011 Legacy Awards

Federation of Gay Games announces 2011 Legacy Awards
Ice hockey’s Brian Burke and Angela James to be honoured alongside other leading organisations and individuals

San Francisco, CA – (14 October 2011) The international Federation of Gay Games today announced the list of persons and groups it will honour with its 2011 Legacy Awards. These annual awards recognise outstanding achievements that promote the FGG values of Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best ™. The Legacy Awards will be presented at a reception at Woody’s Bar on Monday 24 October, during the Federation’s Annual General Assembly in Toronto.

Ontario personalities and groups feature prominently on this year’s list of winners, including Toronto Maple Leafs’ General Manager Brian Burke and former ice hockey star Angela James.

Leading the list is Brian Burke, who is honoured for his achievements as a Straight Ally. Burke serves as President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Toronto Maple Leafs, and managed the US hockey team at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Burke is a long-time supporter of the fight against homophobia in sport, a commitment that only became stronger after the untimely death in 2010 of his son Brendan, shortly after he had come out publicly. Since then, Brian Burke has been a constant ally for the cause of gay rights and the fight against homophobia, alongside Brendan’s brother Patrick, and the entire Maple Leafs team. FGG co-president Kurt Dahl (Chicago) explained: “The Gay Games movement has been a key part of the fight against homophobia in and by sport, but we realise that no social movement can succeed without the participation of larger society. Brian Burke is an outstanding example of the impact straight people, particularly those in the world of sport, can make. We are delighted to honour him with our ‘Straight Ally Legacy Award’.”

Another Toronto personality, Angela James, will also be honoured, with the “Women in Sport Legacy Award”. Ms. James is a former star ice hockey player, who in 2010 became the first woman inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame. She became famous throughout Canada by her play in Women's World Championship, leading her team to four world champion titles during her career. Prior to this, in 2008, the Angela James Bowl was created in her honour, awarded annually to the top scorer in the Canadian Women's Hockey League.

FGG co-president Emy Ritt (Paris) observed: “The Federation is committed to the full participation of women in sport. Angela James, an out lesbian and a true star in her sport, is an incredible role model for all athletes, and for women in particular, all the more so as she was a pioneer in a sport where women broke barriers simply by playing the sport of ice hockey.”

Federation of Gay Games stalwarts from Ontario will also be honoured with the “Local Hero Legacy Award”. Stephanie Johnstone of Woodstock, a long-time leader of the International Gay Bowling Organization and the FGG Sports Committee, has also served as Vice President of the Federation, and continues her activism with a campaign against bullying of LGBT youth. Her male counterpart is Rob Lavery, who for several years served on the board of directors of the Federation of Gay Games representing Team Toronto. During this time he also served as chair of the Site Selection Committee and as a site inspector for both Gay Games VII and VIII. FGG officer for volunteers Jennifer Forward (Melbourne) spoke to the importance of people like Rob and Stephanie: “The Federation operates on an all-volunteer basis. We rely on the talents and efforts of people like Stephanie and Rob to carry out our ongoing work to choose the best host for the Gay Games, develop and implement the best sports program and policies, and to support our host in the planning and execution of the largest international competitive sports event in the world open to all. We’re delighted to honour them here close to home, where the many people who know them will be able to share in this moment.”

Organisations are also recognised by the Federation. Another local winner is the Toronto Gay Football League, which will be honoured with the FGG’s Local Organisation Legacy Award. This year represents TGFL’s second season of offering flag football to men and women, gay and straight. Federation sports officer Bettina Dietmann-Winter (Munich) stated: “I remember my pleasure in seeing the Toronto Muddy York Rugby Club recruitment video. Toronto is full of great sports groups, most of which are members of our friends at Outsport Toronto. We felt that TGFL was particularly worthy of recognition. This group is young, but has gone from 0 to 120 players in only two years. They represent the vitality of LGBT sport, and the Federation’s values of inclusion and participation. Their inclusion of men and women, LGBT and straight people, is part of their success, and a principle the FGG wants to support. And we look forward to welcoming members of the league to Cleveland in 2014 for flag football at Gay Games 9!”

Outside of Toronto, the FGG will be recognising member organization International Gay Bowling Organization with its Member Organization Legacy Award. Created in 1980, two years before Gay Games I, this founding member of the FGG has grown to over 200 bowling leagues and 24 tournaments, and is the largest LGBT sports organization in the world. FGG vice president for membership Paul Oostenbrug (Albuquerque) spoke of his satisfaction in recognising IGBO: “The FGG brings together dozens of member organizations representing among others, international LGBT sports federations. Bowling, along with softball, is one of the historic LGBT sports, and is key part of each edition of the Gay Games. IGBO brings its expertise to the organization of bowling every four years, and runs an extensive schedule of tournaments each year, serving thousands of bowlers in North America and beyond.”

The first FGG “Social Justice Legacy Award” will be made to Cape Town’s Ndumie Funda and the organisation she founded, Luleki Sizwe, which combat the abominable practice of “corrective rape” in South Africa’s black townships. This practice targets presumed lesbians, claiming to “cure” them by rape.
The Federation’s former VP for diversity Kate Rowe explains the FGG connection with the group: “At the Federation’s 2008 Annual Meeting in Cape Town, Ndumie was the head volunteer. She introduced us to several women affected by ‘corrective rape’, and spoke very movingly about this crime. Since that meeting we have followed her work, have worried for her when she has gone into hiding after death threats, and supported her campaign for the South African government to take action on this issue.” VP for external affairs Marc Naimark (Paris) added: “The FGG promoted her Change.org petition on this matter, and we are pleased that our appeal to our Gay Games family pushed the number well over 150,000 at a time when the effort had been stagnating. The final total of 170,000 had a great impact, with a government task force being set up, on which Ndumie serves. There is a long way to go, but thanks to the courage of Ndumie and others, real progress has been made.”

These awards will be presented along with the FGG Volunteer of the Year medals at a drinks evening at Woody’s Bar in Toronto on the evening of Monday 24 October. All are welcome to join the festivities, organised by FGG Awards Committee cochair Michael Witt with the help of Outsport Toronto.